Pool table attachment



July 31,1945. v R. J. HENRY 2,380,756

POO L TABLE ATTACHMENT Filed 0ct..2,-'1945 Z'Sheefi-Sheet 1 I nventor ttornejs July 31, 1945.. HENRY POOL TABLE ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fild 0013. 2, 1943 I n ventor By 2' and coacting spots,

Patented July 31, 1945' 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2,380,756 POOL TABLE ATTACHMENT Robert J. Henry, Maiden, Mo., assignor per cent to Clifford L. Gibbons, Maiden, Mo. Application October 2, 1943, Serial No. 504,767

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel accessory in the form of an especially constructed attachment for pool tables, the same being characterized bya spring drum wound extensible and retractible line usable as an indicator for ball positions, whereby to enable the participants to accurately determine when the balls are off of or on "grass."

Despite the factthat conventional pool tables are provided with marginal inlaid diamonds and heated and controversial arguments constantly arise as to when certain balls have moved into foul or unpiayable territory. This is due to the fact that the decision is often based on sheer guess-work or because of the fact that the cue sticks are laid across the table to serve as straight edges" in an unsatisfactory and unreliable manner. With these and other well known factors in mind, I have evolved and produced a simple and expedient indicator line which can be drawn tautly to occupy a transverse position across one end of the table, said line being coordinated or matched with predetermined points,

thus making it possible to visibly and accurately estimate and determine the positions of questionable balls.

In carrying my aims and ideas into actual practice, I have chosen, as a practical embodiment, a simple spring wound drum, an indicator cord or line attached thereto and a suitable housing arrangement for the parts. 1

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a top plan view-of a conventional pool table showing the attachment in operative positions thereon with the charting or indicating lineextended to its useful position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view chosen to bring out certain of the advantageous features.

Figure 3 is an edge elevation of Figure 2, this showing the line partly pulled out from the spool or drum casing. V

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken centrally through'the housing or easing structure.

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the housing or spool arrangement.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional and elevational view emphasizing the construction and arrangement of the spool-dike drum and spring and assemblying pin arrangement.

It is understood that the invention is in combination with a conventional pool table, the essence of the invention being in the attachment itself. The pool table is denoted by the numeral 1 and its bordering frame 8, as is customary, is provided with inlaid diamond markers '9. The attachment is adapted to be used with those two markers adjacent the left hand end of the table which is commonly referred to as the grass. To accomplishthis'I provide a pair of opposite notches It in the framework, the index points of these notches, which are generally triangular, being in exact alignment with the adjacent vertex points on the diamond markers as shown, on one side, in Figure 2. The notches, that is, the notches on both sides, are in corresponding position and are of duplicate construction. It is to be noted too, from Figure 1 that the usual intervening spot II is in alignment with the diamonds 9 and the notches III. This is to accommodate the retractible and extensible indicator cord or line 12. This line is a part of the attachment, which is now to be described. The attachment, as a unit, is denoted by the numeral I3. It comprises a substantially U-sha'ped adapter base it. The outstanding end portions l5 are apertured to accommodate the ends of the headed assembling pin it. The left hand end of the pin is provided with a hole to accommodate a cotter key l1 which maintains said pin in place. Rotatably mounted on this pin is the spool-like drum i8 which serves to wind and unwind the line or cord It. More specifically, the hub portion of the spool surrounds a coiled spring 20 which has one end anchored at 2| on the foundation or adapter member it, the opposite end being attached to a remote end portion of the spool hub as indicated at 22 (see Figure 6). The tension of the spring is to normally or regularly wind the cord on the hub as is obvious; The free end of the cord is provided with a finger loop 23 and a knot 24 which latter engages a hole in the channel-shaped portion 25 of the removable cover. This cover fits over the parts and encloses the same and receives the end portions iii of the adapter fixture l4 therein as shown. The flanges 26 abut the longitudinal edge portions of the bight of the bracket i 4 as brought out in Figure 5 to accommodate assembling and fastening screws across the table in the manner depicted in Figure 1. In this position the line isseated in the opposed or aligned keeper notches l0, whereupon it registers with the median portions of the opposed diamond markers 9 and the "spot Ii. This clearly defines the foul territory or grass as distinguished from the remainder of the legitimate playing area. It is evident, therefore, that with this simple expedient it is possible to settle virtually all arguments to convince the participants when the balls are on or off of grass.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

- Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a structure oi the class described, in combination, a conventional pool ,table including customary parallel fixed side rails having diamond-markers aflixed thereto and a top embodying a playing surface having an aligned spot coacting with said markers, said rails also I 30 desired. having opposed V-shaped line accommodatingand seating keris, the vertex points constituting indexes and being in exact alignment with the coacting pointed ends of said diamond markers, and a flexible line adapted to be stretched across the table top and said rails with its end portions seated in the notches and thus positioned and eflectively held in alignment with the diamondmarkers and said spot.

2; In a structure of the class described, in combination, a conventional pool table including customary parallel fixed side rails having diamond-markers affixed thereto and a top embodying a playing surface having an aligned spot coacting with said markers, said rails also having-opposedV-shaped line accommodating and seating kerfs, the vertex points constituting indexes and being in exact alignment with the coacting pointed ends of said diamond-markers, and a, flexible line adapted to be stretched across the table top and said rails with its end portions seated in the notches and thus positioned and effectively held in alignment with the diamondmarkers and said 'spot, together with line storing and anchoring means fixedly mounted on one of said rails within the vicinity of the adjacent kerf, one end of the line being connected thereto, the opposite end of the line being free and provided with a single loop to facilitate its being brought into use whenever necessary or I ROBERT J. HENRY. 

